Bench unlock - conflicting info

[razorlab]

Yes I am technically inclined with computers and tech gear. I'll check that software out.

I have the OBDLink MX+ (bluetooth dongle), Model: MX201

You need a WiFi dongle or ENET cable for BM3 or MHD.

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[AngryCar]

You need a WiFi dongle or ENET cable for BM3 or MHD.

Ok cool. I do have an enet to obd2 cable, bought a couple years ago when I tried to use the BM3 software. After a week working with their tech support their software would not connect. They determined it was a bad cable. Returned it and got another, after a week working with support, 3 different laptops, and a phone, their software still would not connect. I asked about a wifi option but they didn't have one at that time. Two bad cables, I guess possible, but didn't seem likely. Maybe I'll try the enet cable with MHD, see what happens. Appreciate the info.

 

[razorlab]

Ok cool. I do have an enet to obd2 cable, bought a couple years ago when I tried to use the BM3 software. After a week working with their tech support their software would not connect. They determined it was a bad cable. Returned it and got another, after a week working with support, 3 different laptops, and a phone, their software still would not connect. I asked about a wifi option but they didn't have one at that time. Two bad cables, I guess possible, but didn't seem likely. Maybe I'll try the enet cable with MHD, see what happens. Appreciate the info.

Bootmod connectivity absolutely sucks and has through years and tons of updates. They choose to deny it or even blame the end user. Their mobile app is trash and they somehow break it every other update. It’s super frustrating and has pushed me to move to MHD after using Bootmod3 for years, even with MHD having less tables available for tuning.

I would recommend MHD.

 

[AngryCar]

Bootmod connectivity absolutely sucks and has through years and tons of updates. They choose to deny it or even blame the end user. Their mobile app is trash and they somehow break it every other update. It’s super frustrating and has pushed me to move to MHD after using Bootmod3 for years, even with MHD having less tables available for tuning.

I would recommend MHD.

Ya I was a little turned off by BM3 when I couldn't get it to work. I did look at MHD but didn't try it, but it's at the top of my list now. Before the Supra I had an STI that I did all the flashing on using Tactrix and worked with a tuner on an etune, so I'm familiar with flashing. If I can do it myself and not have to go to the local shop that would be great. Sure a dyno tune might be better but I'm not doing many mods just simple intake, charge pipe, exhaust and I think something like MHD would be perfect for that. You are a wealth of information, really appreciate it.

 

[sabrownfl]

I have a 2020 LE that had been to the dealer for brake boost recall. I did bench unlock in my garage in under 15 minutes using MHD unlocker. EzPz. Flashed with MDH over wifi OBD2. EzPz.

 

[AngryCar]

I have a 2020 LE that had been to the dealer for brake boost recall. I did bench unlock in my garage in under 15 minutes using MHD unlocker. EzPz. Flashed with MDH over wifi OBD2. EzPz.

Nice. Ya that's the way to go. Especially since my local shop wants $500 for a bench unlock. The unlocker software and a wifi dongle is cheaper. Thanks for the info.

 

[AngryCar]

If you have an OBD2 dongle that works with MHD, you can download the MHD mobile app and check the DME date (no app purchase required).

Where it gets fuzzy is that the tools won't know if it truly needs a bench unlock or not. Example: My 2020 is bench unlocked and all the tools still state it needs a bench unlock even though I have flashed it 100+ times.

Example DME check with MHD mobile app (my personal 2020 Supra), ECU = DME:

Two follow up questions......

What if MHD says I need a bench unlock, I buy the unlocker, run it, but I was already unlocked from factory and I actually didn't need an unlock? Does it just fail, does it mess anything up?

What happens if I use MHD to flash and I do need a bench unlock but didn't get one?
Does it just fail, does it brick the ECU, do I lose my stock tune, will the car start & run?

Thanks.

 

[razorlab]

Two follow up questions......

What if MHD says I need a bench unlock, I buy the unlocker, run it, but I was already unlocked from factory and I actually didn't need an unlock? Does it just fail, does it mess anything up?

What happens if I use MHD to flash and I do need a bench unlock but didn't get one?
Does it just fail, does it brick the ECU, do I lose my stock tune, will the car start & run?

Thanks.

I would try to flash the car with MHD first before buying the unlocker. It will just fail to flash anything if it needs to be unlocked. Kind of hard to brick the DME on these to be honest.

The unlocker will know if the DME is locked or not. Won't mess anything up.

Hardest part of the unlocker is connecting it to the DME, and that is actually pretty easy. The actual unlock process takes like five seconds.

 

[AngryCar]

I would try to flash the car with MHD first before buying the unlocker. It will just fail to flash anything if it needs to be unlocked. Kind of hard to brick the DME on these to be honest.

The unlocker will know if the DME is locked or not. Won't mess anything up.

Hardest part of the unlocker is connecting it to the DME, and that is actually pretty easy. The actual unlock process takes like five seconds.

Ok cool, I'll just use the check on MHD first and see what it says, and then just give a flash a try. If it fails I'll order the unlocker.

I did a quick google search and read if the flash fails that it would stop at like 3-5% and then you'd have to flash back to stock before unlocking, but that doesn't seem right, and the info was like years old. Sounds like it'll just fail and the car will be unchanged and you'll just remain on the stock flash.

Is that your take on it, that the car will just be unchanged and work fine after a failure?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to gather all relevant info before jumping in. Thanks.

 

[razorlab]

Well yea, you have a 2024 dude.

Bimmercode changes other modules, not the DME. No need for unlock/FEMTO for those things.

 

[razorlab]

I would have bet a lot of money that your 2024 needed FEMTO, and I would have got a lot of money. You are FAR away from 2021.

 

[razorlab]

I knew before you knew. Go talk about oil or something.

 

[razorlab]

You can always get a good idea where people land on the dumbass spectrum by seeing if they properly use you're / your in a sentence.

 

[razorlab]

Doing us both a favor. Toodles!

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